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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Bernstein Castle, located in Dambach-la-Ville in the Lower Rhine, is one of the oldest fortresses in Alsace, quoted from 1009. Built on a granite spur at 562 m above sea level, this medieval fortress was originally built in wood before being rebuilt in stone between the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. It belonged to the Counts of Eguisheim-Dabo, then passed into the hands of the bishops of Strasbourg after a siege in 1227. Its architecture, adapted to military progress, includes a pentagonal dungeon shield, a seigneurial house, and a Romanesque tower probably housing a chapel.

The castle experienced several phases of destruction and reconstruction, notably after a punitive expedition by Philip of Swabia at the end of the 12th century. In the 15th century, defensive installations such as the Saint Marguerite Tower and a bastion were added to counter the nascent artillery. Abandoned in the 16th century after the transfer of the episcopal bailiwick to Benfeld, it was looted and burned by the Swedes in 1632, then sold as a national good during the Revolution. Its ruins, inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1932, testify to its strategic role and its architectural evolution.

The etymology of the name Bernstein (or Bärenstein, "rock with bears") draws from a local legend evoking a family of bears who had occupied the site before construction. The castle was also the scene of medieval anecdotes, such as Adelaide's rocky escape in 1212 or the tragic story of a faithful wife who killed her husband out of contempt. These stories, mixing chivalry and betrayal, enrich his cultural heritage.

Architecturally, the castle is divided into three parts: the upper castle (donjon, house, Romanesque tower), the lower castle (Saint Marguerite tower, residential buildings) and the advanced buildings (bastion, garden, courtyard). The 18-metre-high dungeon was used for pure defense, while the house was home to halls. A cistern, dug between the dungeon and the house, covered strategic weaknesses, such as vulnerable access to the outer well. The current remains, dating from the 12th to 15th centuries, offer an overview of medieval military techniques.

Ranked a Historical Monument, the Bernstein illustrates the turbulent history of Alsace, between feudal conflicts, architectural adaptations and progressive decline. Its abandonment in the 16th century marked the end of its strategic role, but its ruins, still imposing, attract today the enthusiasts of history and legends. Local associations, such as Les Amis du Bernstein, work for its preservation and heritage development.

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